U2 Super Bowl halftime show 2002 - 9/11 Tribute

Some Thoughts on 9/11

I can't think of those towers coming down without being overtaken with a heavy heart. It was on that day six years ago that I first came to experience pure hate and evil. It was on that day that I came to know, without a doubt, that Satan was very much a reality, devoid of any light or humanity. It was on that day that came to the understanding that there were only two seeds that such a occurence could plant in one's heart and mind, either one of anger and intolerance or of understanding and compassion. I thought of Christ as he was mocked, scourged and spat upon and his words rang true with a clarity never before experienced, "Forgive them Father for they know not what they do." It was on that day I knew that my life should be spent respecting differences and building on commonalities, learning to listen, forgive, and seeking to understand; constructing a spirit of unity, instead of a creating chasum of alienation. I cried the day the scroll arose behind U2 during the Super Bowl halftime how. It was a touching, sincere moment in what is usually a superficial occurence.

R.I.P. Monkey

I recieved some sad news today. About ten years ago I lived in a house with several roommates, one of them by the name of Monica. It came to my attention today that she passed away in July, just short of 31. It appears that she had began to struggle with both achohol and drugs, and this in turn led her to her demise. I have not visited with or been in contact with Monica since those days so many days ago, but I have fond memories of her and the time I was able to spend around her. She had a mischevious laugh and a few enduring quirks. For example, she had a Lion that she was very attached to. Adam, Joe and I once put the Lion out the window on roof, and another time bindfolded the creature, as he was being kidnapped. Also, she always had a stash of candy in her drawer. I never pass a bag of Halloween candy without thinking of her, as I will continue to do. It makes me sad to hear of her passing, but pray that she will find peace and happiness on the other side of the veil. She had so much to offer, and pray that she will come to know how much she was loved and how special she was.

Dear Family, Friends and the Undecided

Dear Family, Friends, and the Undecided,

Where did the summer go? School is back in swing, and I am excited to be on the road to finishing my Masters in the Spring. Life without school, what a wonderful thought. I doubt it will last long though. I have such a thirst for knowledge and have grown to love academic pursuits. It seems as if I have a natural curiosity that leads me on an endless pursuit to gain grater understanding, and simply to discover knew things. I do my best to read as much as I can to fulfill this need, much cheaper than a formal education.

Right now I have an internship at Michener Library on the campus of the University of Northern Colorado. It has been a blast gaining practical experience in my field. For those of you who don’t know or have forgotten, I am working on a Masters of Library Science and Information Resources through a virtual degree program offered by the University of Arizona in Tucson. (Side note I don’t really get a chance to root for the Wildcats because in football I root for BYU and basketball UNLV) I have a particular interest in Academic Libraries. My B.A. is in History from UNC, where I focused on Social and Modern History, with a particular interest in Germany, The Soviet Union, Modern Russia and its former Satellites, and the Cold War with its many ramifications. I have a great deal of interest in Foreign Affairs as you can imagine. The point is, I enjoy the academic setting and the opportunity that working at an Academic Library can give me to further my studies in History. Learning a bit of German and Russian is a stepping stone, but who knows what the future may hold.

On a different note, the gospel means so much to me and the older I get, the more I appreciate what I have, and what I know. I know that Christ lives, and that his infinite atonement is a living reality, that plays an integral part in my life every moment of everyday. It is through the Savior, hat my faith, when manifest in action and in a perfect brightness of hope is magnified 100 fold and I can see him in everything I do with perfect clarity. Sometimes a peace comes over me that fills my heart with joy and mind with an eternal perspective. Elder Scott visited not too long ago, and as he spoke, I knew, without a doubt in my mind that prophets are in the land. What a precious gift the companionship of the Holy Ghost is.

I have such a passion for studying the gospel and for that matter teaching the ordinance and principles that lie therein. I can think of nothing more uplifting and inspiring than when both learner and teacher are both taught and edified by the Spirit of Truth. It truly causes one to rejoice and to know of the perfect love Christ has for us as we see things as they truly are. If I could have a permanent calling in the church it would be as a teacher. Come to think of it, I do as a Home Teacher, beyond that though, there is nothing I have more enjoyable than stepping in a gospel classroom, no matter the size or age and feeling the Spirit.

I want each of you to know that I love you very much, no matter the distance in time we have seen each other or distance we share geographically. Once a person has had an influence on one’s life that influence and memory remains and becomes a part of you. Thank you for everything you do and are and have done for me and for the lives you have chosen to lead. Until next week.

Take Care,

Steve

The Word of the Day Is: Procrastination

Why procrastination one may ask? I guess the best place to start is by telling the story behind the title? About a year ago, I set the goal to crawl out of my hermit hole and t once again make contact with the world. True story, once upon a time I was a fairly sociable person who enjoyed the company of others, and all of the wonderful things that come with surrounding yourself with those that you love and admire. With age though, has come the habit of isolating myself and creating my own private world. Often times I come accross as being much more serious, stoic and stiff than I truly am. Point is, I set the goal to reach beyond myself to reconnect with the world out site, to make new friends, reconnect with old ones, and let the current ones know how grateful I am for them, and their examples.

That, to me, is a key compentent ofthe gospel, the relationships we cultivate with one another, the interaction of thought and emotion. simply put it is what I consider the D&C 50 principle, that we are hear to teach one another in a spirit of truth, whether that be through service, ordinance, or as often is the case, through our compassion and boldness. We are mentors to one another and come to personally know Christ in come to know one another, put aside our own selfish interests at times in the interest and needs of another. It is aboutcarrying our cross, denying oneself of thing of only a mere temporal worth. It is looking to Christ in every action and deed. That is what is meant t be taught by the spirit of truth and is when one truly comes to know what it means to rejoice and be edified together.

Back to the goal, a goal isn't much use until it is broken down into operational peices. The first peice was to write a letter, as often as I could to check in. Addition peices were to use the wonderful social technology of the Web 2.0 to let all of you into my wonderful world. In that spirit, I began my blog, and posted pictures online, and began to work on my website. This is where procrastination comes in. I could make 100 excuses, but I won't. The vision remained in my mind, but faith, without works is dead. It is in that vien, that I am recommitting myself to my goal. That is the splendid thing about goals: you can always revisit them.